I agree with this. Autonomy is a good goal for Syria to strive for. Additionally, it seems that nations are interested in and paying attention to Syria, but only to confront each other by proxy. Damascus, especially, seems to be the guiding north star of keeping Christians interested in Syria, because it was such an important place for Paul in the Bible. I also took the Lebanon course, and I am glad I took that one first, and then this one, because the picture of these neighboring nations becomes more and more clear as I study both and their individual struggles.